Thomas flagler



T. FLAGLER.

Fruit-Gatherer.

No. 69,980. Patented Oct. 22, 1867.

@ 57 flop 1% PETERS, PHOTO-LITHOGRAFHER, WASHINGTON. D. C.

i germ] mm igatmt @ffir THOMAS FLAGLER, 0F GRASS LAKE, MICHIGAN.

' H Letters Patent No. 69,980, dated 0mm 22, 1867.

IMPROVEMENT IN FRUIT-GATHERBR.

Be it known that I, THOMAS FLAGLER, of the town of Grass Lake, in the county of Jackson, and State of Michigan, have invented an improved Fruit-Gatherer; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear,

and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification.

A is the receiver; 13, the conductor; D, the stall; s t, jaws; it, arms; z'i, elastic-s; h, connecting wire; G C, elastics, attached to cushion; L, line. In constructing this article, I take hoop iron, or any other suitable material, bend it in a. circular form, and of suitable size to receive the fruit, and by lapping the ends sufficiently form a loop or socket to receive the stall, and perforate its lower edge for attaching the conductor. This band, so constructed, I call the receiver. Bend two pieces of wire of suitable size in semicircles to fit the top of the receiver. These are attached to the receiver so to operate as the jaws of a common steel trap. These wires extend through the receiving hand each side of the socket, and are of sufiicient length to form arms extending laterally when the jaws are open. To the ends of each of these arms isattached a connecting wire. A line extends from it down to the hand, of the operator, by pulling which the jaws are closed and the fruit picked. Theja'ws are immediately opened again by ineans of spiral springs or elastics. To the lower edge of the receiver is attached a cloth conductor, extending down beloiv'the hand of the operator. For the purpose of preventing the fruit from bruising when it descends, I use fa cushion, composed of curled hair or other suitable material, suspending it by elastics at the lower end of the conductor. Sections are added when additional length is required. The conductor is-held in position by means of rings fastened to it, through which the stall passes.

' What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The receiver, jaws, manner of operating them, mode of splicing my sectional staff, with ferrule and dowel combined, manner of attaching conductor to stafi by means of rings to slide upon the same; also the cushion and elastic attachments, the whole constructed and arranged in the manner and for; the purposes specified.

' THOMAS FLAGLER.

Witnesses:

L. B. DANFORTH, CHAS. NICOLSON. 

